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International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2019Sexual activity during pregnancy is determined by emotional, psychosocial, hormonal, and anatomical factors and varies during trimesters. This work aimed to establish...
Sexual activity during pregnancy is determined by emotional, psychosocial, hormonal, and anatomical factors and varies during trimesters. This work aimed to establish women's sexual activity during each trimester of pregnancy. A total of 624 women were included in the study and filled in the questionnaire three times, once during each trimester of pregnancy. The first part of the survey included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and medical details of a given pregnancy. The second part was the Polish version of the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire. Comparison of the mean scores for the overall sexual function of each trimester revealed clinically relevant sexual dysfunction in the second and third trimesters (mean values 25.9 ± 8.7 and 22.7 ± 8.7, respectively; < 0.01). Women were most sexually active during their second trimester. In the first trimester of pregnancy, women were most likely to choose intercourse in the missionary position. Women with vocational education were characterized by the lowest and homogenous FSFI values. Total FSFI score depended on the martial status-the highest value pertained to married women (25.2 ± 6.9; = 0.02).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Female; Humans; Libido; Marriage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Reproductive History; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 31671702
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214216 -
Journal of Exposure Science &... Nov 2023There has been limited research considering the effects of prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals on early childhood size and growth.
BACKGROUND
There has been limited research considering the effects of prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals on early childhood size and growth.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated prenatal exposures to 15 heavy metals in association with measures of weight, length, and head circumference (HC) measured at birth, and 1, 3 and 6 months of age in a study of 358 mother-child pairs.
METHODS
Urinary concentrations were measured in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and examined, using sex-stratified general linear models, in association with average standardized size and changes in size (growth) over the first 6 months of life. Confounding effects among metals were explored.
RESULTS
Increased first trimester Hg and V were associated with decreased average HC among males and weight among females, respectively. Increased first trimester V was associated with a decline in weight among females over time. Increased third trimester Cs, Rb and Tl were associated with increased average weight and HC among males. Increased third trimester Se was associated with increased HC among females over time. Evidence for confounding was observed between Cs, Rb and Tl in association with weight and HC.
SIGNIFICANCE
We observed multiple biologically plausible associations between prenatal heavy metal exposures and postnatal size and growth.
IMPACT
We have taken a comprehensive and novel approach to evaluating the impacts of prenatal heavy metal exposures on size and growth during early childhood. Our detailed analyses consider exposures to 15 different heavy metals at two time points during pregnancy, as well as multiple metrics of size and growth collected at birth and 1, 3 and 6 months of age.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Male; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Metals, Heavy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Postpartum Period; Maternal Exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 35490160
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00443-8 -
Endocrine Journal Jun 2023To study the effects of third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia (serum low free thyroxine and normal thyroid stimulating hormone level) on pregnancy outcomes,...
To study the effects of third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia (serum low free thyroxine and normal thyroid stimulating hormone level) on pregnancy outcomes, we performed a retrospective cohort study in women with singleton pregnancy between February 2009 and June 2012. Pregnant women were assigned to two groups, a hypothyroxinemia group (with maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia in the third trimester and normal thyroid function in the first and second trimesters) and a control group (with normal serum thyroid functions). The pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal distress, birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and Apgar score at one minute after the birth, were recorded and compared between the two groups. A total of 3,945 pregnant women (median age 26 year old) were included in the study, with 195 women in the hypothyroxinemia group and 3,750 women in the control group. Compared with the women in the control group, women in the hypothyroxinemia group had higher incidences of premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score at one minute after the birth. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the low third trimester serum thyroxine level was the independent risk factor for the premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score. There were no statistically significant differences in preterm birth, macrosomia, and intrauterine fetal distress between two groups. Third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The maternal serum thyroxine level should be monitored during late pregnancy and necessary management should be applied to improve the pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Adult; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Premature Birth; Thyroxine; Retrospective Studies; Fetal Distress; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 37032065
DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ22-0528 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023The objective of this study was to identify the predictive value of the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level and the second-trimester uterine artery Doppler in singleton...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to identify the predictive value of the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level and the second-trimester uterine artery Doppler in singleton pregnancy for the prediction of preeclampsia.
METHODS
A prospective study including singleton pregnancy presenting at an antenatal clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University from 2019-March 2020 was conducted. Serum SHARP1 was collected at the gestational age (GA) of 11-13weeks, and transabdominal uterine artery Doppler ultrasound was performed at GA of 18-24 weeks. Serum SHARP1 level and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) were combined to calculate the predictive value for preeclampsia detection.
RESULTS
288 pregnant women were enrolled in the first trimester, but only 249 participants completed the study. Thirteen patients had preeclampsia (5.2%), which three cases (1.2%) had early-onset preeclampsia. The median serum SHARP1 level in the first trimester of pregnant women with preeclampsia was lower than the normal pregnancy group (1392 pg/ml vs. 1941 pg/ml, = 0.046). The second-trimester uterine artery PI and prevalence of early diastolic notching were higher in the preeclampsia group than in the normal pregnancy group ( = 0.029 and = 0.001, respectively). When the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level is combined with the second-trimester uterine artery PI, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for preeclampsia prediction were 84.6%, 47.5%, 8.2%, and 98.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that serum SHARP1 level in the first trimester combined with the uterine artery PI in the second trimester had good sensitivity to predict preeclampsia.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pre-Eclampsia; Prospective Studies; Uterine Artery; Ultrasonography, Doppler
PubMed: 37654106
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2253348 -
Ginekologia Polska 2016During pregnancy periodontal tissues may become more susceptible to internal and external factors promoting inflammation. Changes in hormone levels, alterations in the... (Review)
Review
During pregnancy periodontal tissues may become more susceptible to internal and external factors promoting inflammation. Changes in hormone levels, alterations in the periodontal tissue structure and a predisposition to dilating blood vessels during pregnancy may lead to a painful inflammation as a response to a slightest amount of biofilm. Tumor gravidarum emerges in 5% of pregnant women during the first or second trimester - it may recede and fade completely right after the labour when hormone levels normalize. This paper explains the aetiology and potential risk factors of pregnancy gingivitis.
Topics: Female; Gingival Hyperplasia; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Second
PubMed: 27321105
DOI: 10.17772/gp/62354 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Oct 2023Cathepsin C (Cat C) is involved in the inflammatory-immune system and can be degraded by cathepsin D (Cat D). Preeclampsia (PE) and the inflammation-immunity...
BACKGROUND
Cathepsin C (Cat C) is involved in the inflammatory-immune system and can be degraded by cathepsin D (Cat D). Preeclampsia (PE) and the inflammation-immunity relationship is currently a hot research topic, but there are still few studies. The aim was to investigate the expression and significance of Cat C and D in the serum of nonpregnant women, patients in various stages of pregnancy and patients with PE, and in the placenta of patients with normal pregnancy and PE.
METHODS
Sixty young healthy nonpregnant women were selected: 180 normal pregnant women, including 60 each in the first, second, and third trimesters, and 100 women with PE, including 39 women with severe preeclampsia. The levels of Cat C and D in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of Cat C and D in placentas were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
RESULTS
The serum of Cat C in the first trimester was significantly lower than that in the nonpregnant group (P < 0.001), whereas Cat D was significantly higher than that in the nonpregnant group (P < 0.01). The levels of Cat C and D in the second trimester and third trimester were significantly higher than those in the first trimester (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in Cat C and D between the second trimester and third trimester. The levels of Cat C in the serum and placentas of patients with PE were significantly higher than those in the third trimester (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with the severity of PE (P < 0.001), whereas the levels of Cat D in the serum and placentas of patients with PE were significantly lower than those in the third trimester (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the severity of PE (P < 0.001). Age, primigravida proportion, and body mass index were significantly higher in the PE group than in the control group (P < 0.05), which were high-risk factors for PE.
CONCLUSIONS
Cat C and D are associated with the maintenance of normal pregnancy. In patients with preeclampsia, a significant increase in Cat C and a significant decrease in Cat D levels may lead to the occurrence and development of preeclampsia.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Cathepsin C; Cathepsin D; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy Trimester, First
PubMed: 37794357
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01138-x -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Jan 2022Indomethacin is used for the treatment of preterm labour, short cervices and idiopathic polyhydramnios during pregnancy. Few studies have described the pharmacokinetics...
AIMS
Indomethacin is used for the treatment of preterm labour, short cervices and idiopathic polyhydramnios during pregnancy. Few studies have described the pharmacokinetics (PK) of indomethacin during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine maternal and fetal PK of indomethacin during different trimesters of pregnancy using physiologically based PK (PBPK) modelling and simulations.
METHODS
Full PBPK simulations were performed in nonpregnant subjects and pregnant subjects from each trimester of pregnancy at steady state using Simcyp's healthy volunteers and pregnancy PBPK model, respectively. The fetal exposures were predicted using a fetoplacental pregnancy PBPK model. The models were verified by comparing PBPK-based predictions with observed PK profiles.
RESULTS
Predicted exposure (AUC ) and clearance of indomethacin in nonpregnant women and pregnant women are similar to the clinical observations. AUC of indomethacin is approximately 14, 24 and 32% lower, consistent with 18, 34 and 52% higher clearance in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively, compared to nonpregnant women. Predicted fetal plasma exposures increased by approximately 30% from the second trimester to the third trimester of pregnancy.
CONCLUSION
A mechanistic PBPK model adequately described the maternal and the fetal PK of indomethacin during pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, a modest decrease (≤32%) in systemic exposures in pregnant women and a 33% increase in fetal exposures to indomethacin were predicted. Higher fetal exposures in the third trimester of pregnancy may pose safety risks to the fetus. Additional studies are warranted to understand the exposure-response relationship and provide appropriate dosing recommendations during pregnancy that consider both safety and efficacy.
Topics: Female; Fetus; Humans; Indomethacin; Infant, Newborn; Models, Biological; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy Trimesters
PubMed: 34185331
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14960 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021The aim of this study is to observe the morphological and postural changes to the foot that take place during pregnancy and the puerperium. In this descriptive,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The aim of this study is to observe the morphological and postural changes to the foot that take place during pregnancy and the puerperium. In this descriptive, observational, longitudinal study, we analysed 23 pregnant women, with particular attention to morphological and postural aspects of the foot, at three time points during and after pregnancy: in weeks 9-13 of gestation, weeks 32-35 of gestation and weeks 4-6 after delivery. The parameters considered were changes in foot length, the Foot Posture Index (FPI) and the Hernández Corvo Index, which were analysed using a pedigraph and taking into account the Body Mass Index (BMI). The same procedure was conducted in each review. The statistical analyses obtained for each foot did not differ significantly between the three measurement times. A pronator-type footprint was most frequently observed during the third trimester of pregnancy; it was predominantly neutral during the postpartum period. Statistically significant differences between the measurement times were obtained in the right foot for cavus vs. neutral foot type (between the first and third trimesters and also between the first trimester and the puerperium) (in both cases, < 0.0001). Foot length increases in the third trimester and returns to normal in the puerperium. According to FPI findings, the third trimester of pregnancy is characterised by pronation, while the posture returns to neutrality during the postpartum period. During pregnancy, the plantar arch flattens, and this persists during the puerperium. The incidence of cavus foot increases significantly in the third trimester and in the puerperium.
Topics: Female; Foot; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Postpartum Period; Posture; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third
PubMed: 33801299
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052423 -
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Sep 2023Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived particles released during different pathophysiological processes and emerging as relevant players in inter-cellular... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived particles released during different pathophysiological processes and emerging as relevant players in inter-cellular crosstalk. Previous studies have highlighted the role of EVs as potential biomarkers for several pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Despite that, the actual distribution of EVs through gestation has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to report the concentration of different sub-types of EVs in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy and to correlate them with different pregnancy and ultrasound characteristics.
STUDY DESIGNS
Prospective observational study including uncomplicated pregnancies in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. The first aim of the study was to report the concentration of the EVs derived from endothelial, epithelial, platelet and leukocyte cells of maternal peripheral blood samples in the first, second and third trimester pregnancy using polychromatic flow cytometry. The secondary aim was to correlate EVs with neonatal birthweight and fetal Dopplers, including uterine and umbilical arteries. Un and multivariate analyses were used to compute the data.
RESULTS
64 women (20 in the first, 22 in the second and 22 in the third trimester of pregnancies) were included in the analysis. There was no difference in the median concentration of either platelet, leukocyte and endothelial EVs between the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. The concentration of epithelial derived EVs was higher in the third compared to first and second trimester of pregnancy. When analyzing the percentage of EV vesicles through gestation, there was no difference in the percentage of either leukocyte or endothelial EVs through gestation. Conversely, the median percentage of platelet derived vesicles was higher in the first (48.7 %, IQR 34.1-58.5) compared to second (34.0 %, IQR 22.7-44.9) and third (9.13 %, IQR 5.01-12.1) trimester of pregnancy, while the median percentage of third trimester (6.01, IQR 2.42-7.34) epithelial derived vesicles was higher than that of the second (1.53 %, IQR 0.65-2.98), but not of the first (4.45 %, IQR 1.44-6.07) trimester. Finally, we found no association between the median concentration or percentage of endothelial, epithelial, leukocyte vesicles, neonatal birthweight and fetal or maternal Dopplers.
CONCLUSIONS
Distribution of EVs examined does not change during the three trimesters of pregnancy and is not influenced by neonatal birthweight or maternal and fetal Dopplers. The findings from this study allows a more objective interpretation of studies comparing EVs in pregnancies with compared to those without obstetric complication. EVs in future can be used for "liquid biopsy" for the early diagnosis of pathological pregnancies up to the development of possible screening protocols.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Birth Weight; Pregnancy Trimesters; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Diabetes, Gestational; Extracellular Vesicles
PubMed: 37454539
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103987 -
Biological Psychology Jul 2022High pregnancy anxiety is a consistent predictor of earlier labor and delivery. Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) predicts earlier delivery consistently...
OBJECTIVE
High pregnancy anxiety is a consistent predictor of earlier labor and delivery. Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) predicts earlier delivery consistently and it has been identified as a biological mediator of the association between pregnancy anxiety and gestational length. However, studies have not examined whether changes in pregnancy anxiety are associated with earlier birth as mediated by changes in pCRH during pregnancy. Accordingly, this study tests whether linear changes in pregnancy anxiety are associated with length of gestation indirectly through nonlinear increases in pCRH over pregnancy.
METHODS
A sample of pregnant women (n=233) completed prenatal assessments in early pregnancy, second trimester, and third trimester that included a 4-item assessment of pregnancy anxiety and collection of blood samples assayed for pCRH using radioimmunoassay. Length of gestation was abstracted from medical records after birth.
RESULTS
Increases in pregnancy anxiety from early pregnancy to third trimester predicted shorted length of gestation, as did nonlinear increases in pCRH over pregnancy. However, there was no evidence of an indirect effect of changes in pregnancy anxiety on length of gestation via changes in pCRH.
CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that linear changes in pregnancy anxiety and nonlinear changes in pCRH during pregnancy are independent risk factors for shortened gestational length. This study adds to a small but growing body of work on biopsychological processes in pregnancy and length of gestation. Modeling changes in psychological and biological processes during pregnancy could provide more insight into understanding risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Female; Humans; Placenta; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third
PubMed: 35667479
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108376